Musty Dusty Words for National Old Stuff Day

While the origins of this day are hard to trace and it's unclear how many observers actually celebrate this March 2 event , we thought it was a perfectly valid reason to share a list of words related to old things you might be stashing in your attic. Even if your musty junk isn't worth much to anyone but you, expanding your vocabulary always has value!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vintage
    the oldness of wines
    Indeed, there it was in all its mint-green glory, vintage bicycles lined up outside the double doors to add character. Los Angeles Times (Feb 24, 2017)
  2. antique
    made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
    Ms. Stroh’s father spent millions on antiques and collectibles, like rare cameras and guitars. New York Times (Feb 19, 2017)
  3. provenance
    where something originated or started
    Decades after its discovery by Louis Leakey in 1932, the fossil’s antiquity and provenance have remained in dispute, along with the medical diagnosis. New York Times (Aug 22, 2016)
  4. nostalgia
    a longing for something past
    Nostalgia also in the collection of Harry Truman memorabilia that filled the parlor of the century-old house where I stayed during my visit. The Guardian (Jan 27, 2017)
  5. musty
    covered with or smelling of mold
    Finally, in a pitch-black storage room - “more like a dungeon,” Taylor said with a laugh - the duo found musty, unmarked boxes. Washington Times (Sep 24, 2016)
  6. relic
    something of sentimental value
    The loft where his small team works is filled with relics from his days fronting the pioneering rock group Talking Heads. Wall Street Journal (Oct 18, 2016)
  7. anachronism
    locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed
    That makes the traditional cable box somewhat of an anachronism. Forbes (Jun 6, 2015)
  8. ancient
    belonging to times long past
    “For me, I think the real passion is with the ancient coins,” Borland says. Washington Times (Jan 14, 2017)
  9. hoard
    save up as for future use
    Lifting the lid, she gapes at the hoard of gold coins. Washington Post (Mar 24, 2016)
  10. cache
    a hidden storage space
    A biography of the poet that draws on a newly discovered cache of letters. Washington Post (Dec 27, 2016)
  11. patina
    a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
    “The patina was very old and it looked dark and dingy in comparison to what it should look like,” he said. New York Times (Jul 6, 2016)
  12. memorabilia
    objects that are valued because of their link to historical events or a particular interest
    Across from us is a dusty shelf filled with memorabilia. The Guardian (Feb 23, 2017)
  13. souvenir
    a reminder of past events
    The house produced many souvenirs of early New York when its owners, Martin Sheridan and Richard Hayman, dug up the basement. New York Times (Jan 20, 2017)
  14. memento
    a reminder of past events
    She gestured toward a lone memento that would remain in his bedroom, a life-size needlepoint portrait of her only child, woven in shimmering gold thread. New York Times (Feb 2, 2017)
  15. authentic
    not counterfeit or copied
    Inside, there are displays of authentic swords and suits of armor, along with a reconstructed guillotine that was last used in 1861. Seattle Times (Oct 18, 2016)
Created on Mon Feb 27 17:05:12 EST 2017 (updated Tue Feb 28 16:11:51 EST 2017)

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